New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 453 The Proposal

It had been a long day for everyone. Matthew decided enough was enough and waved goodbye to Claire and Adrian, heading home for some much-needed rest. Claire, however, remained at Cryptonic, not working but stewing over everything that had unfolded. Her mind buzzed like an angry hive of bees. Adrian noticed her sitting on the couch, arms crossed, eyes darting back and forth as if trying to crack an invisible code. He sighed and plopped down beside her, leaning back casually.

"Claire, you've got to let it go. Rest," Adrian said softly, nudging her arm with his elbow.

Claire shook her head, looking at him like he'd just suggested she run a marathon in heels. "I can't, Adrian. If I let my guard down even for a second, Eligos will twist this whole situation into something worse. He always finds a way."

Adrian frowned, watching her fingers twist a strand of hair absentmindedly. He reached over, gently taking her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

"Claire," he said, voice low and serious, "I need to talk to you about something. I was going to say this before you stormed off from the party."

Claire blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "What is it?"

Adrian pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Amazingly, it was still intact despite all the chaos they'd gone through earlier. Claire's heart skipped a beat as he flipped it open, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled even in the dim office lighting.

"I want you to be mine," Adrian said simply, his eyes locked onto hers.

Claire froze, her breath hitching. For a moment, all she could do was stare at the ring, her wide eyes reflecting the glimmer of the diamond.

"Adrian," she whispered, pulling her hand away and standing up so fast she almost tripped on the coffee table.

Adrian followed suit, frowning slightly as he stepped closer. "Claire, I'm serious. I love you. I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

She shook her head, taking a step back. "You don't understand. If we do this if I say yes you could get hurt. Eligos isn't someone you can just ignore. He'll come after you, Adrian."

"I'm already in this, Claire," Adrian said firmly. "I've been hurt before, and I'm still here, aren't I? We're already together. What's the difference if we take this step?"

"The difference is...it's serious. It's permanent," Claire said, her voice cracking slightly. "What if I can't protect you? What if you end up regretting this?"

hair. "We've talked about this before, Claire. Remember the safe house? You promised me you'd stop pushing me away. Was that just

Every logical part of her brain told her to push Adrian away for his own good, but her heart screamed

you don't have to give me an answer right

could protest, he gently took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, like it had been waiting for this moment

wait for you," Adrian said, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "No

last lingering smile, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving Claire standing there like

pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. She glanced down at the ring on

weight of it feeling heavier than it should. She was shocked, yes, but there was also a

proposed to her. And

shake the moment from her mind. She paced back and forth in her

seemed to grow

her

ricocheting off the walls as she tried

thinking? Does he even realize what he's getting into?" she said aloud,

ran her fingers through her hair in

darted to the small

unassuming, yet it carried the weight of a thousand possibilities. With hesitant fingers, she opened it once again, the diamond ring inside catching the dim light and sparkling as if it held

snapping the box shut with a frustrated click. "Why did he have to make it so...so perfect?" she muttered, the sparkle of the ring burned into her memory like a mocking reminder of her indecision. The sound of a knock on the door jolted her out of her spiral. Startled, she blinked and turned toward the noise, clearing her throat as if

her voice steady

He glanced around the room before stepping inside, looking a bit

the intrusion. "Your laptop?" she

device sitting on the corner

a curious expression. "You okay? You look

feeling the weight of his concern. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she

fast they nearly disappeared into his hairline. "Wait, what? Like

she reached for the velvet